Game system with rotatably positionable playing pieces

ABSTRACT

A game system, includes a game board, including a plurality of squares arranged in rows and columns, including special squares, including a start square and bonus squares, each including a text indicator and a color indicator; a board border with row indicators and column indicators; rotatably positionable playing pieces, each including a line segment with segment terminators and a piece scoring indicator denoting a piece scoring value; two piece holders; two mockup boards; two privacy blinds; such that a plurality of pairs of successive strings are positionable on the board, each pair placed by two opposing players, each string including a plurality of rotatably positioned connected playing pieces, such that at least one segment terminator of a first connected playing piece is connected to at least one segment terminator of a second connected playing piece, such that line segments of the rotatably positioned connected pieces form a connected path.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of game systems,and more particularly to methods and systems for games played on a boardwith playing pieces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many game systems played on a board, playing tiles are placed oncertain contiguous or successive areas marked out on the board, and theplacing of the playing pieces on certain pre-determined areas results inan adjustment of the score of a player, either by adding a bonus to thescore or subtracting a penalty therefrom.

Usually, the pre-determined areas which result in adjustment of thescore are marked in a characteristic way to show how to adjust thescore. However, when any playing piece is placed on one of thepre-determined areas, the playing piece covers this marking and theplaying piece has subsequently to be lifted in order to discover how thescore should be adjusted.

Further, the board games typically rely on positioning of playing pieceson a board without regard to the rotational orientation of playingpieces.

As such, considering the foregoing, it may be appreciated that therecontinues to be a need for novel and improved devices and methods forgame systems that include a board and rotatably positionable playingpieces, wherein a score can be determined without removal or lifting ofplaying pieces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the presentinvention, wherein in aspects of this invention, enhancements areprovided to the existing model of board-based games systems.

In an aspect, a game system can include:

-   -   a) a game board, which can include:        -   i. a plurality of squares, which can be arranged in a matrix            structure with row and columns, which can include special            squares, which can be a start square or a bonus square,            which can include:            -   1) a bonus square surface;            -   2) a text indicator, which indicates a score adjustment;                and            -   3) a color indicator, which indicates the score                adjustment; and        -   ii. a board border, which can include            -   1) a plurality of row indicators; and            -   2) a plurality of column indicators;            -   such that a pair of a row indicator and a column                indicator indicates a position of a special square;    -   b) a plurality of playing pieces, which each can include:        -   i. a piece body;        -   ii. a line segment, which is positioned on a top surface of            the piece body, which comprises:            -   1) a plurality of segment terminators, each positioned                adjacent to a central side or a corner of the piece                body; and        -   iii. a piece scoring indicator, which denotes a piece            scoring value for scoring;    -   c) a first piece holder, configured to hold a plurality of first        drawn playing pieces;    -   d) a first mockup board for use by a first player, for visually        confirming first potential string combinations of first selected        playing pieces selected from the first drawn playing pieces,        before positioning the first selected playing pieces on the game        board;    -   e) a first privacy blind, which can be vertically positioned on        the playing surface on a first side of and adjacent to the game        board, such that the first privacy blind prevents an opposing        second player from viewing the first drawn playing pieces of a        first player, when the first drawn playing pieces are positioned        on either the first mockup board or the first piece holder;    -   f) a second piece holder, configured to hold a plurality of        second drawn playing pieces;    -   g) a second mockup board for use by a second player, for        visually confirming second potential string combinations of        second selected playing pieces selected from the second drawn        playing pieces, before positioning the second selected playing        pieces on the game board; and    -   h) a second privacy blind, which can be vertically positioned on        the playing surface on a second side of and adjacent to the game        board, such that the second privacy blind prevents the first        player from viewing the second drawn playing pieces of a second        player, when the second drawn playing pieces are positioned on        either the second mockup board or the second piece holder.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodimentsof the invention that will be described below and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments inaddition to those described and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseologyand terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a game system, according toan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a game board of a gamesystem, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of a game board ofa game system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a gameboard, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating a playing piece positionedon a special square of a game board, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a gameboard, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2E is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a gameboard, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2F is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a gameboard, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2G is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a gameboard, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2H is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a gameboard, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2I is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a gameboard, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2J is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a gameboard, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a playing piece, according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 4A is a front view of a privacy blind with a score card, accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B is a top view of a privacy blind with a score card, according toan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4C is a front view of a score card, according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 5A is a top view of a stand piece, according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 5B is a side view of a stand piece, according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of a piece holder with playing pieces, amockup board, and a score card mounted on stand pieces, according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of playing pieces of a game system, according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7A is a top view of a plurality of strings of playing pieces,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7B is a top view of a plurality of strings of playing piecespositioned on a portion of a game board, according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating steps that may be followed, inaccordance with one embodiment of a method or process for game setup.

FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating steps that may be followed, inaccordance with one embodiment of a method or process for game play.

FIG. 8C is a flowchart illustrating steps that may be followed, inaccordance with one embodiment of a method or process for game scoring.

FIG. 8D is a flowchart illustrating steps that may be followed, inaccordance with one embodiment of a game method or process.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a mockup board, according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing the invention in detail, it should be observed thatthe present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obviouscombination of elements and process steps. So as not to obscure thedisclosure with details that will readily be apparent to those skilledin the art, certain conventional elements and steps have been presentedwith lesser detail, while the drawings and specification describe ingreater detail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding theinvention.

The following embodiments are not intended to define limits as to thestructure or method of the invention, but only to provide exemplaryconstructions. The embodiments are permissive rather than mandatory andillustrative rather than exhaustive.

In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of a gamesystem 100 with initial reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in such mannerthat like reference numerals refer to like components throughout; aconvention that we shall employ for the remainder of this specification.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2A-2D, a game system 100can include:

-   -   a) a game board 110, which can be a rigid or flexible member        with a flat surface, which can be utilized to place a set of        playing pieces 140, in adherence to rules of the game system        100, wherein the game board 110 can include:        -   i. a plurality of squares 120, which can be arranged in a            matrix structure 112, which comprises rows 114 and columns            116, wherein selected squares 120, 122 (in the plurality of            squares 120) can include special squares 120, 122 (which can            be uniformly distributed in the plurality of squares 120),            which can be a start square 126 or a bonus square 122, which            can include:            -   1) a bonus square surface 224;            -   2) a text indicator 226, which indicates a score                adjustment, wherein the text indicator 226 can be                positioned on the bonus square surface 224; and            -   3) a color indicator 228, which indicates the score                adjustment, wherein the color indicator 228 can be a                background color of the bonus square surface 224; and        -   ii. a board border 130, as shown in FIG. 1B, which can            include            -   1) a plurality of row indicators 132; and            -   2) a plurality of column indicators 134;            -   such that a pair of a row indicator 132 in the plurality                of row indicators 132 and a column indicator 134 in the                plurality of column indicators 134 can indicate a                position of a special square 120, 122;    -   b) a plurality of playing pieces 140 (also called playable        tiles), as shown in FIG. 2C, wherein each playing piece 140 can        include:        -   i. a piece body 242;        -   ii. a line segment 244, which can be a printed marking,            and/or can be indicated by an indentation or a protrusion of            the piece body 242, wherein the line segment 244 can be            positioned on a top surface of the piece body 242, wherein            the line segment 244 comprises:            -   2) a plurality of segment terminators 246, wherein each                segment terminator 246 is positioned adjacent to a                central side or a corner of the piece body 242; and        -   iii. a piece scoring indicator 248, which denotes a piece            scoring value for scoring;    -   c) a first piece holder 180, 181 for use by a first player 191,        wherein the first piece holder 180, 181 is configured to be        positioned on a playing surface 198, such as a table, on a first        side of the game board 110, wherein the first piece holder 180,        181 is configured to hold a plurality of first drawn playing        pieces 140, such as seven first drawn playing pieces 140, which        are drawn from the plurality of playing pieces 140;    -   d) a first mockup board 170, 171, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 9 ,        for use by a first player 191, wherein the first mockup board        170, 171 can be a rigid or flexible surface, wherein the first        mockup board 170, 171 is configured to be positioned on a        playing surface 198, on a first side of the game board 110, such        that the first mockup board 170, 171 can be used for (i.e., is        configured for visually confirming first potential string        combinations of first selected playing pieces 140, which can be        five selected playing pieces 140, which can be selected from the        first drawn playing pieces 140, before positioning the first        selected playing pieces 140 on the game board 110;    -   e) a first privacy blind 160, 161, which can be a vertically        positionable rectangular body, which can be vertically        positioned on the playing surface 198 on a first side of and        adjacent to the game board 110 (such that the first privacy        blind 160, 161 is between the game board 110 and the first        mockup board 170, 171), to prevent line of sight from the        opposing parallel edge of the game board 110, such that the        first privacy blind 160 prevents the second player 192 from        viewing the first drawn playing pieces 140 of the first player        191 (before they are positioned on the game board 110), when the        playing piece 140 are positioned on either the first mockup        board 170, 171 or the first piece holder 180, 181;    -   f) a second piece holder 180, 182 for use by a second player        192, wherein the second piece holder 180, 182 is configured to        be positioned on a playing surface 198, such as a table, on a        second side of the game board 110, wherein the second piece        holder 180, 182 is configured to hold a plurality of second        drawn playing pieces 140, such as seven second drawn playing        pieces 140, which are drawn from the plurality of playing pieces        140;    -   g) a second mockup board 170, 172, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 9 ,        for use by a second player 192, wherein the second mockup board        170, 172 can be a rigid or flexible surface, wherein the second        mockup board 170, 172 is configured to be positioned on the        playing surface 198, on a second side of the game board 110,        such that the second mockup board 170, 172 can be used for        (i.e., is configured for) visually confirming second potential        string combinations of second selected playing pieces 140, which        can be five selected playing pieces 140, which can be selected        from the second drawn playing pieces 140, before positioning the        second playing pieces 140 on the game board 110; and    -   h) a second privacy blind 160, 162 which can be a vertically        positionable rectangular member, which can be can be vertically        positioned on the playing surface 198 on a second side of and        adjacent to the game board 110 (such that the second privacy        blind 160, 162 is between the game board 110 and the second        mockup board 170, 172), to prevent line of sight from the        opposing parallel edge of the game board 110, such that the        second privacy blind 160, 162 prevents the first player 191 from        viewing the non-placed playing pieces 140 of the second player        192 (before they are positioned on the game board 110), when the        non-placed playing pieces 140 are positioned on either the        second mockup board 170, 172 or the second piece holder 180,        182.

In a related embodiment, each of the first and second piece holders 180,181, 182, can be configured similar to a SCRABBLE™ tile/piece holder inorder to hold playing pieces 140 in an upright (and typically slightlyforward leaning) position, such that an upper surface of the playingpieces is not visible to an opposing player. Each of the first andsecond piece holders 180, 181, 182 can be elongated and can include aseating area 584, which is configured to receive the selected playingpieces 140, such that the selected playing pieces 140 are positionablein the seating area 584.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 9 , each of the of thefirst mockup board 170, 171, and the second mockup 170, 172 board caninclude:

-   -   a) a second plurality of squares 174, which can be arranged in a        second matrix structure comprising second rows and second        columns.

In a further related embodiment, each of the first selected playingpieces 140, and the second selected playing pieces 140, can include fiveplaying pieces 140; and the second rows can include six rows and thesecond columns can include six columns.

In another related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, each ofthe first and second privacy blinds 160, 161, 162 can further include:

-   -   a) a score card 410, which is configured to block a view of an        opposing player 192, 191, wherein the score card 410 includes        scoring information on an outer side 414 facing a corresponding        player 191, 192, wherein the score card 410 can further include:        -   i. a score card body 412, which includes the outer side 414;        -   ii. a color score guide portion 420, which includes a color            decoding table 421, which comprises a plurality of color            decoding rows 422, each comprising:            -   1) a decoding color indicator 423, which can be textual,                symbolic, color-coded, or a combination of these; and            -   2) a first board square type indicator 426, which can be                one of:                -   a first scoring transformation indicator 427; or                -   a first start square indicator 428; and        -   iii. a coordinate axis guide portion 430, which includes a            coordinate decoding table 431, which comprises a plurality            of coordinate decoding rows 432, each comprising:            -   1) a decoding coordinate indicator 433, which comprises:                -   a decoding column indicator 434; and                -   a decoding row indicator 435; and            -   2) a second board square indicator 436, which can be one                of:                -   a second scoring transformation indicator 437, such                    that a coordinate pair of the decoding column                    indicator and the decoding row indicator indicates a                    corresponding coordinate position of a corresponding                    bonus square on the game board; and                -   a second start square indicator 438 such that the                    coordinate pair of the decoding column indicator and                    the decoding row indicator indicates the                    corresponding coordinate position of a start square                    on the game board;    -   b) a stand assembly 462, which is configured to be is positioned        on a playing surface 198, such as a table 198, wherein the stand        assembly 462 can include,        -   i. a left stand piece 464, which includes            -   1) a left mounting slit 465; and        -   ii. a right stand piece 466, which includes            -   2) a right mounting slit 467;        -   such that the score card 410 can be vertically positionable            in the stand assembly 462 when the stand assembly is            positioned on a playing surface 198, such as a table 198;        -   such that the score card 410 can be vertically positionable            in the left mounting slit 465 and the right mounting slit            467 when the left stand piece 464 and the right stand piece            466 are positioned on the playing surface 198, such as the            table 198.

In another further related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, 2D, and6 , the plurality of playing pieces 140, can further include:

-   -   a) a start playing piece 616, which is positionable on the start        square 126;    -   such that a first playing piece 140, 141, of a first string can        be connected with the start playing piece 616, such that the        first playing piece 140, 141 is positioned on a first square        121, which is adjacent to the start square 126, such that the        first square 121 is positioned either by on a side or a corner        of the start square 126, such that at least one segment        terminator of the start playing piece 616 is adjacent to at        least one segment terminator of the first playing piece 140,        141.

In a yet further related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 , a startplaying piece 616, can further include:

-   -   a) a first side 621, which comprises a first start line segment        244, 641; and    -   b) a second side 622, which comprises a second start line        segment 244, 642;    -   such that an upward facing side 621, 622 of the start playing        piece is one of the first side 621 and the second side 622, when        the start playing piece 616 is positioned on the start square        126.

In a further related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 , a start playingpiece 616, can further include:

-   -   a) a first start line segment 244, comprises four segment        terminators 246, which can be centrally positioned on sides of        the first side of the start playing piece 616, such that the        first side is rotatably symmetric of order 4 (i.e. when rotated        in 90-degree increments around the center of the first side)        when positioned on the start square 126, when the start playing        piece 616, is positioned on the start square 126, with the first        side upward facing; and    -   b) a second start line segment 244, comprises four segment        terminators 246, which are centrally positioned in corners of        the second side of the start playing piece 616, such that the        second side is rotatably symmetric of order 4 (i.e., when        rotated in 90-degree increments around the center of the second        side) when the start playing piece is positioned on the start        square 126, with the second side upward facing.

In a related embodiment, the game system 100 can further include:

-   -   a) at least one string 710, which comprises a plurality of        rotatably positioned 249 (as shown in FIG. 2C) connected playing        pieces 140, which are positioned on the game board 110), such        that at least one segment terminator 246 of a first connected        playing piece 711 is adjacent to (i.e., connected to) at least        one segment terminator 246 of a second connected playing piece        712, such that line segments 244 of the rotatably positioned 249        connected pieces 140, 711, 712 of the string 710 form a        connected path 718, which form a string 710. FIG. 7B shows        examples of the same type of piece 140, 741, 742, 743, which are        rotatably positioned 249 in different orientations, to form        connected paths 718, which are part of strings 710, 790. Thus,        each playing piece 140 is rotatably positioned in 90-degree        increments to a position where the four sides of the playing        piece 140 are parallel with corresponding four sides of the        board square 120 that the playing piece 140 is positioned on,        such that the playing piece has four possible rotatable        positions on the board square 120.

In a further related embodiment, the game system 100 can furtherinclude:

-   -   a) a plurality of pairs of successive strings 710, which can be        positioned on the game board 110, wherein each pair of        successive strings 710 are successively placed by two opposing        players 191, 192, wherein each string 710 includes a plurality        of rotatably positioned 249 connected playing pieces 140, 711,        712, such that at least one segment terminator 246 of a first        connected playing piece 711 is adjacent to (i.e., connected to)        at least one segment terminator 246 of a second connected        playing piece 712

In another related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2C, each of the specialsquares can be configured with a first uniform size, which is largerthan a second uniform size of the playing pieces 140, such that when aplaying piece 140, is positioned on a special square, which comprisesthe corresponding color, then an outer border of an upper surface of theplaying piece 140, is visible, such that the corresponding color isvisible, such that the special square is identifiable via the colorscore guide 420, portion of the score card 410.

In a related embodiment, the bonus square 122 can be one of:

-   -   a) a tile-times-two tile-multiplicative bonus square 122, 251,        as shown in FIG. 2E, wherein the text indicator 226, 261 is        “TILE X2” and the color indicator 228, 271 is a first        predetermined corresponding color 271, which can be light blue        (shown as a parallel vertical dotted lines), such that the        tile-times-two bonus square 122, 251 modifies a piece scoring        value of a piece scoring indicator 248 (as shown in FIG. 2C) of        a playing piece 140 positioned on the tile-times-two bonus        square 122, 221 to two times the piece scoring value 248;    -   b) a tile-times-five tile-multiplicative bonus square 122, 252,        as shown in FIG. 2F, wherein the text indicator 226, 262 is        “TILE X5” and the color indicator 228, 272 is a second        predetermined corresponding color 272, which can be red (shown        as a sparsely dotted pattern),        -   such that the tile-times-five bonus square 122, 252 modifies            a piece scoring value of a piece scoring indicator 248 of a            playing piece 140 positioned on the tile-times-five bonus            square 122, 222 to five times the piece scoring value 248;    -   c) a string-times-two bonus square 122, 253, as shown in FIG.        2G, wherein the text indicator 226, 263 is “STRING X2” and the        color indicator 228, 273 is a third predetermined corresponding        color 273, which can be blue (shown as parallel oblique dotted        lines),        -   such that the string-times-two bonus square 122, 253            modifies an aggregate scoring value 248 of playing pieces            140 positioned in a string 710, which passes the            string-times-two bonus square 122, 253 to two times the            aggregate scoring value 248;    -   d) a tile-plus-three additive bonus square 122, 254, as shown in        FIG. 2H, wherein the text indicator 226, 264 is “TILE +3” and        the color indicator 228, 274 is a fourth predetermined        corresponding color 274, which can be violet (shown as parallel        oblique solid lines),        -   such that the tile-plus-three bonus square 122, 254 modifies            a piece scoring value of a piece scoring indicator 248 of a            playing piece 140 positioned on the tile-plus-three bonus            square 122, 254 to the piece scoring value 248 plus three;    -   e) a string-times-three string-multiplicative bonus square 122,        255, as shown in FIG. 2I, wherein the text indicator 226, 265 is        “STRING X3” and the color indicator 228, 275 is a fifth        predetermined corresponding color 275, which can be yellow        (shown as densely dotted pattern),        -   such that the string-times-three bonus square 122, 255            modifies an aggregate scoring value 248 of a playing pieces            140 positioned in a string 710, which passes the            string-times-three bonus square 122, 255 to three times the            aggregate scoring value 248; and    -   f) a tile-plus-five additive bonus square 122, 256, as shown in        FIG. 2J, wherein the text indicator 226, 266 is “TILE +5” and        the color indicator 228, 276 is a sixth predetermined        corresponding color 276, which can be peach (shown as a diagonal        rectangular tiling pattern),        -   such that the tile-plus-five bonus square 122, 256 modifies            a piece scoring value of a piece scoring indicator 248 of a            playing piece 140 positioned on the tile-plus-five bonus            square 122, 256 to the piece scoring value 248 plus five.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a first player 191can:

-   -   a) select a predetermined playing plurality of playing pieces        140, wherein the predetermined playing plurality can be seven        playing pieces; and    -   b) successively position up to a maximum string length, which        can be five playing pieces 140, comprising a string 710 of        playing pieces 140 that are positioned on the game board 110,        wherein the string 710 comprises:        -   i. a first playing piece 140, 711, which:            -   1. is initially (when there are no playing pieces from                previously laid strings) positioned in a central start                square 126; or            -   2. is positioned on a first square 122, such that a                first line segment 244 of the first playing piece 140 is                connected with a prior line segment 244 of a (previously                positioned) corresponding prior playing piece 140                (previously positioned as part of a prior string 710) on                the board, such that the first line segment 244, 721 and                the prior line segment 244, 720 form a combined line                segment 730, such that first segment terminators 246 of                the first playing piece 140 connect with (i.e. are                positioned adjacent to) prior segment terminators 246 of                the prior playing piece 140, such that no segment                terminator 246 of either the first or prior playing                pieces 140 is not connected and shielded from (future)                connectivity; and        -   ii. a second playing piece 140, 712, which is positioned on            a second square 122 that is adjacent to the first square            122, such that a second line segment 722 of the second            playing piece 140, 712 is connected with the first line            segment 721 of the first playing piece 140, 711 (which was            just previously positioned) on the board, such that the            first line segment 721 and the second line segment 722 form            a combined line segment 726 (which is a part of the string            710),            -   such that first segment terminators 246 of the second                playing piece 140 connect with (i.e., are positioned                adjacent to) the first segment terminators 246 of the                first playing piece 140, such that no segment terminator                246 of either the first or second playing pieces 140 is                not connected and shielded from (future) connectivity,                i.e. no non-connected segment terminator 246 is buried                or concealed;            -   such as successive playing pieces up to a total maximum                of the maximum string length (such as for example five)                is connected according to the similar process as the                second playing piece (i.e., a third piece is connected                to the second, and so on);            -   such that a second player will position a string of up                to the maximum string length (such as for example five),                according to a similar process.

In various related embodiments, the game system 100 includes a gameplayed on a board with rotatably positionable playing pieces, andincorporates playing concepts such as playing path, maze, line, mappingand/or word games, and game components, such as a game board 110, whichcan specific indicia, and playing components with supplemental indiciaand other graphical, visual, or tactile elements, designed to facilitatesuccessful compliance, fulfillment, of and adherence to/of the rules forplaying and scoring games played in the game system 100.

In a related embodiment, the specific indicia can be comprised of textindicators 226, color indicators 228, row indicators 132, and columnindicators 134, which can be a plurality of elements of a game board110.

In a further related embodiment, the supplemental indicia can becomprised of score indicators 248, and line segments 244, which can be aplurality of elements attached to the surface of the playing pieces 140.

In a related embodiment, the game board 110, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 13, can be configured to eliminate or significantly reduce the occurrenceof the lifting of a plane piece from the game board 110.

In a related embodiment, the board border 130, of the game board 110,can be configured to include row indicators 132, and column indicators134, which can be alphabetical, numeric, alphanumeric, or unique imageelements.

In a related embodiment, the game system 100, can include a uniqueplurality of playing pieces 140, FIG. 8 with supplemental indicators,which can be designed to facilitate the assembly and construction ofpaths, lines, and any logical assemblies used to facilitate thecreation, construction, building, assembly, demonstration of paths,strings, lines, course, and/or maze line, direction, and mapping.

In a further related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 7B,contemplates the provision in a board game of this character on theboard in which text indicators 226, and color indicators 228, areapplied to the bonus squares 122, of the board, which require anadjustment of the score when the bonus square 122, is occupied by aplaying piece 140, and the corresponding row indicator 132, and columnindicator 134, being indicative of the same adjustment to a score bonusrequired by the text indicators 226, and color indicators 228, which maybe concealed by the playing pieces 140.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2D, the colorindicators 228, of the game board 110, can be associated with thecorresponding text indicators 226, such that if a bonus square 122, ofthe game board 110, contains a specific combination of text indicators226, that bonus square 122, will also contain the accompanying specificcolor indicators 228.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 7B, the colorindicators 228, can be of a dimension and position such that theplacement of a playing piece 140, onto the special area in which thecolor indicator 228, is centered, the vision of the color indicators228, will not be fully obscured by the playing pieces 140.

In a related embodiment, the row indicators 132, and column indicators134, of the board border 130, can be configured to be an alphanumericaxis grid system FIGS. 1A, and 1B, such that the game board 110, can bedivided into coordinate addresses that assist in the identification ofthe pre-determined special areas of the board when the text indicators226, and color indicators 228, may be obstructed or concealed by aplaying piece 140, and can also be referenced in the same manner,irrespective of the size or shape of spaces on the board or playingpieces 140, placed in or on the game board 110.

In a further related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the playing pieces140, can be constructed as a square, rectangle, or some other symmetricor asymmetric shape.

In another related embodiment, the playing pieces 140, can beconstructed of a composite, metal, or polymer material.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the column indicators 134,of the board border 130, can be configured to have numeric markings ontwo parallel sides of the board border 130, where the numerals arereflected across the center of the game board 110, and similarly the twosides of the board border 130, which are perpendicular to the columnindicators 134, on the board border 130, can be row indicators 132, andcan be configured to have alphabetical markings, which can be reflectedacross the center of the game board 110, such that an alphanumeric gridis created.

In a further related embodiment, the row indicators 132, and columnindicators 134, of the board border 130, can be placed such that thereis only a row indicator 132, or a column indicator 134, in a row orcolumn containing a bonus square 122, denoted by a text indicator 226,and a color indicator 228, on the game board 110.

In a related embodiment, the bonus squares 122, denoted by a textindicator 226, and a color indicator 228, on the game board 110, can beone of at least seven different associated text and color combinations,as shown in FIGS. 2D-2J, which can be used to affect the score total ofa played playing piece 140, or combination thereof.

In a related embodiment, the score scalar applied by the bonus squares122, on the game board 110, can be determined through a score card 410,which can be used to relate a color indicator 228, to its associatedtext indicator 226.

In a related embodiment, the score scalar applied by the bonus squares122, on the game board 110, can be determined through a score card 410,and a position determined through the row indicators 132, and the columnindicators 134, which can be used to relate this coordinate/spatialposition to its associated text indicator 226.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the row indicators132, and column indicators 134, can divide the game board 110, into 225spaces organized into 15 vertical columns and 15 horizontal rows.

In a related embodiment, the score card 410, can contain a coordinateaxes address guide 430, which can assist in identifying coordinalintersections with specific corresponding text indicators 226, which canindicate special areas of the board that affect play scoring.

In a related embodiment, the score card 410, can contain a color pointscore guide 420, which can assist in identifying color indicators 228,with specific corresponding text indicators 226, which can indicatespecial areas of the board that affect play scoring.

In a related embodiment, the game board 110 can be divided into aplurality of squares 120, which can be comprised of a square, circle, orsome other symmetric or asymmetric shape which can accommodate the shapeof the playing pieces 140, such that a grid is created on the game board110.

In a related embodiment, a plurality of squares 120, can include textindicators 226, and color indicators 228, which can provide a scoringbonus, according to the rules of the game system 100.

In a related embodiment, the plurality of squares 120, of the game board110, can be comprised of a dimension, such that a square grid is createdon the game board 110, for example two hundred and twenty-five gridspaces, which can form fifteen horizontal rows and fifteen verticalcolumns.

In a related embodiment, grid created by the row indicators 132, andcolumn indicators 134, of the board border 130, can be configured to bethe same geometry as the bottom cross section of the playing pieces 140,such that the playing pieces 140, can be constrained to the plurality ofsquares 120, between grid lines.

In a related embodiment, the placement of a playing piece 140, onto asquare 120, of the game board 110, may be determined in any mannerappropriate to and in adherence to the rules for playing the particulargame to which the principles of the invention are applied, such as forexample: as a result of the manipulation of dice, spinners, or someother system of chance.

In a related embodiment, a plurality of at least two playing pieces 140,can be positioned such that the line segments 244, can be combined in amanner consistent with the rules of the game system 100, to form a“string”.

In a further related embodiment, the creation of a string can cause anadjustment to the score of a first player 191, or second player 192,such that the creator of the string can receive a score increase atleast equal to the value of the summation of the score indicators 248,of the playing pieces 140, in the string, in accordance with the rulesof the game system 100.

In a related embodiment, the placement, by a player, of a playing piece140, onto a square 120, containing a text indicator 226, and colorindicator 228, can create an additive or multiplicative score effect,from the associated text indicator 226, and color indicator 228, ontothe tile score indicator 248, or string score value, in accordance withthe rules of the game system 100.

In a related embodiment, the color indicators 228, of the game board110, can be a plurality of colors, such as for example green, red,peach, light blue, dark blue, purple, or yellow.

In a further related embodiment, each color indicator 228, can beassociated with a specific text indicator 226, such as for example a redcolor indicator 228, can be associated with a unique text indicator 226,such as “TILE X5”.

In a related embodiment, the text indicator 226, can be representativeof a mathematical operation which can be applied to a score indicator248, such as for example “TILE X5”, whereby the score indicator 222, canbe multiplied by a scalar value 5.

In a further related embodiment, the text indicator 226, can berepresentative of a mathematical operation which can be applied to astring value, such as for example “STRING X3”, whereby the value of theplayed string can be multiplied by a scalar value 3.

In a related embodiment, the game system 100, contains a plurality of atleast two score cards 410, which can include a color point score guide420, and a coordinate-axis address guide 430.

In a related embodiment, the coordinate-axis address guide 430, of thescore card 410, may list each position indicator 433, and thecorresponding text indicator 436, with specific instructions that willassist in the adjustment of a player's score.

In a related embodiment, the playing pieces 140, can be comprised of aplurality of unique playing pieces, which can for example be seventeendistinct playing pieces which can be comprised of distinctly specificpatterns, shapes, diagrams, impressions, letters, numbers, legends,score indicators 248, or line segments 244, that may control how playingpieces 140, can be connected or assembled during the course of play, inan effort to increase a player's score.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the playing pieces 140,can be square tiles having dimensions of for example approximately0.75″×0.75″×0.125″ or other suitable dimensions.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the line segments 244, ofthe playing pieces 140, can be a bone-like shape, or a pluralitythereof, which can be oriented horizontally, vertically, or diagonally,such that the line segments 244, can be rotatably positioned 249 to forma string of playing pieces 140.

In a further related embodiment, the plurality of playing pieces 140,can include at least one starting piece 616, which can be a coloredplaying piece 140, containing a pair of orthogonal line segments 244,and no score indicator 248, which can be used to begin play, accordingto the rules of the game system 100.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, a starting piece 616,which can be a colored playing piece 140, containing a pair oforthogonal line segments 244, and no score indicator 248, can be atwo-sided playing piece 140, with intersecting horizontal and verticalline segments 244, on a top face and diagonal line segments 244, on abottom face.

In a related embodiment, the plurality of squares 120, of the game board110, can constrict the placement of the playing pieces 140, such thatthe proper placement of playing pieces 140, is facilitated, according tothe rules of the game system 100.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, a string can be anassembly comprising at least one playing piece 140, in succession withat least one other playing piece 140, such that the line segments 244,of the playing pieces 140, are oriented such that a logical path iscreated, for example two line segments 244, with diagonal elements, suchthat when the playing pieces 140, are rotatably positioned 249 next toone another, the superposition of the line segments 244, as placed onthe game board 110, can create a single line, as shown in the firststring example 792.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a string 710 canbe an assembly comprising of at least one playing piece 140, insuccession with at least one other playing piece 140, such that the linesegments 244, of the playing pieces 140, are oriented and connected,such that a logical path is created, for example two line segments 244,with diagonal elements, such that when the playing pieces 140, arerotatably positioned 249 next to one another, the superposition of theadjacent line segments 244, as placed on the game board 110, can createa right angle with adjacent line segments 244, as shown in the secondstring example 794.

In a further related embodiment, the text indicators 226, colorindicators 228, row indicators 132, and column indicators 134, of thegame board 110, can work in conjunction with the line segments 244, andscore indicators 248, of the playing pieces 140, in order to calculatethe total score value of a playing piece 140, or string placement ontothe game board 110.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the tabulation ofa string score can be such that a player who plays a string can receivea score increase equal to the summation of the score indicators 248, ofthe playing pieces 140, after which, any additive or multiplicativebonus squares 122, relating to a single playing piece 140, are added tothe score indicator 248, summation, after which the total summation ofthe score indicators 248, and the additive and multiplicative individualplaying piece 140, bonus squares 122, is scaled by any multiplicativestring bonus squares 122, such as for example in FIG. 7B, the summationof the score indicators 248, in the score example shown in string 790,can be twenty-one points, which is then added to the “TILE +5” bonussquare 122, at the row indicator 132, “D” and the column indicator 134,“1” to become twenty-six points, which is then multiplied by the “STRINGX2” multiplicative string bonus square 122, at the row indicator 132,“B” and the column indicator 134, “1” to add a final total string scoreof fifty-two points for the player who created the string.

In a related embodiment, the game system 100, can include a piececontainer 150, which can be configured as a bag or pouch, which isconfigured to store the plurality of playing pieces 140, such that thepiece container 150 can provide convenient storage, access anddisbursement of playing pieces 140.

In a related embodiment, the piece container 150, can be made of cloth,plastic, or some other suitable material and can be sealed through adraw string, lid, or some other means, to secure the contents of thepiece container 150, to prevent the spill or loss of the playing pieces140.

In a related embodiment, the plurality of bonus squares 122, can includeeight squares 120, with the text indicator 226, “TILE X5”.

In a related embodiment, the plurality of bonus squares 122, can includeeight squares 120, with the text indicator 226, “STRING X2”.

In a related embodiment, the plurality of bonus squares 122, can includefour squares 120, with the text indicator 226, “TILE +3”.

In a related embodiment, the plurality of bonus squares 122, can includeeight squares 120, with the text indicator 226, “STRING X3”.

In a related embodiment, the plurality of bonus squares 122, can includefour squares 120, with the text indicator 226, “TILE +5”.

In a related embodiment, the plurality of bonus squares 122, can includea square 120, with the text indicator 226, “START”.

In a related embodiment, the plurality of row indicators 132, caninclude a plurality of the letters: “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and “E”.

In a related embodiment, the plurality of column indicators 134, caninclude a plurality of the numbers: “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4”.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2F, the text indicator 226,“TILE X5” can be associated with the color indicator 228, “RED”.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2J, the text indicator 226,“TILE +5” can be associated with the color indicator 228, “PEACH”.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2D, the text indicator 226,“START” can be associated with the color indicator 228, “GREEN”.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2H, the text indicator 226,“TILE +3” can be associated with the color indicator 228, “PURPLE”.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2I, the text indicator 226,“3X STRING X3” can be associated with the color indicator 228, “YELLOW”.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2E, the text indicator 226,“TILE X2” can be associated with the color indicator 228, “LIGHT BLUE”.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2G, the text indicator 226,“2X STRING 2X” can be associated with the color indicator 228, “DARKBLUE”.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 , the plurality of playing pieces140 can include:

-   -   1) a first playing piece 601, with Point Value=10, and 5 pieces        per set;    -   2) a second playing piece 602, with Point Value=8, and 6 pieces        per set;    -   3) a third playing piece 603, with Point Value=4, and 12 pieces        per set;    -   4) a fourth playing piece 604, with Point Value=8, and 15 pieces        per set;    -   5) a fifth playing piece 605, with Point Value=10, and 5 pieces        per set;    -   6) a sixth playing piece 606, with Point Value=12, and 2 pieces        per set;    -   7) a seventh playing piece 607, with Point Value=12, and 2        pieces per set;    -   8) an eighth playing piece 608, with Point Value=5, and 4 pieces        per set;    -   9) a ninth playing piece 609, with Point Value=5, and 4 pieces        per set;    -   10) a tenth playing piece 610, with Point Value=10, and 10        pieces per set;    -   11) an eleventh playing piece 611, with Point Value=2, and 30        pieces per set;    -   12) a twelfth playing piece 612, with Point Value=2, and 30        pieces per set;    -   13) a thirteenth playing piece 613, with Point Value=3, and 24        pieces per set;    -   14) a fourteenth playing piece 614, with Point Value=3, and 24        pieces per set;    -   15) a fifteenth playing piece 615, with Point Value=4, and 20        pieces per set;    -   16) a start playing piece 616, with Side one 621 with Point        Value=0, and 1 piece per set; and    -   17) a start playing piece 616. With Side two 622 with Point        Value=0, and 1 piece per set;    -   such that the total number of pieces 140 in the plurality of        playing pieces 140 can be 194 playing pieces.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, a method for game setup 800 caninclude:

-   -   a) a board placement 802, of the game board 110, which can be a        placement that is equidistant from and directly in front of the        players;    -   b) a component distribution 804, which can include the        distribution of individual components of the game system 100,        such as the distribution of one mockup board 170, and one        privacy blind 160, to each player;    -   c) a positioning of components 806, which can be the placement        of the mockup board 170, directly in front of each player, and        the positioning of the privacy blind 160, between each mockup        board 170, and the game board 110;    -   d) a start piece extraction 808, which can include the        extraction of a starting piece 616, from a piece container 150,        and placement of the starting piece 616, into an easily        accessible area; and    -   e) a piece consolidation 810, which can include returning all of        the playing pieces 140, into the piece container 150, except for        the starting piece 616.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, a method for game play 850can include:

-   -   a) a vigorous shaking 852, of the piece container 150, such that        the playing pieces 140, can become sufficiently randomized;    -   b) a blind draw 854, by each player, of a plurality of playing        pieces 140, from the piece container 150, in accordance with the        rules of the game system 100;    -   c) a starting piece flip 856, of the starting piece 616, which        can determine the direction of play for a first string;    -   d) a starting piece placement 858, of the starting piece 616,        onto the bonus square 222, of the game board 110, with the text        indicator 226, “START” and the color indicator “GREEN”;    -   e) a starting turn 860, which can be the arranging and placement        of one or a plurality of playing pieces 140, onto the game board        110, such that a string is formed by using the starting piece        616, as a pivot from which to construct the string, in        accordance with the rules of the game system 100;    -   f) a score tabulation 862, which can include the calculation and        recording of the total score of the constructed string,        including score indicators 248, and bonus squares 222, in        accordance with the rules of the game system 100;    -   g) a replacement piece draw 864, which can include the blind        drawing of an equal amount of playing pieces 140, to those        played in the starting turn 1060, in accordance with the rules        of the game system 100;    -   h) a next player's turn 866, which can include the repetition of        steps e, f, and g for a subsequent player;    -   i) a subsequent turn 868, or plurality thereof which can include        a repetition of steps e-h, with the condition involving the        starting piece 616, removed from step e, and in accordance with        the rules of the game system 100;    -   j) a completion of a set 870, which can be the completion of a        starting turn and three subsequent turns for each player, after        which the total scores for each turn are summed for each        individual player, and the player with the highest score value        wins that set;    -   k) a repetition of sets 872, which can be the repetition of        steps c-j; and    -   l) a completion of the game 874, which can include the        completion of a plurality of sets, where a tied score at the        completion of a set 1070, can require an additional set to be        played, and where the winner of two sets is determined to be the        winner of the game.

In a related embodiment, rules for playing the game system 100 caninclude:

-   -   a) Shaking the bag 852, wherein a piece container 150, is shaken        vigorously;    -   b) Drawing tiles 854, wherein each player blind draws seven        playing pieces 140, from the piece container 150;    -   c) Each player can use a plurality of their playing pieces 140,        per play, which can be up to five of their seven, the use of a        plurality of playing pieces 140, can be called a “hand”;    -   d) Each series of playing pieces 140, can be called a “string”        and can be used to calculate the score of each player's turn        during a set;    -   e) Play can begin by having a first player 191, flip the        starting piece 856, to determine the start direction;    -   f) A starting piece 616, can be placed onto the bonus square        122, containing the “START” text indicator 226, and the “GREEN”        color indicator 228;    -   g) A first player 191, can take a starting turn 860, with the        starting piece 616, as the start of their string;    -   h) Each tile placed in a string, can form a logical path, where        the line segments 244, of the playing pieces 140, in the string,        can form a continuous line;    -   i) Each tile placed in a string, can be placed, such that a new        string must not require the placement of a tile into the board        border 130, of the game board 110, to form the new string; i.e.,        a segment terminator 246 cannot touch (be adjacent to) the board        border 130, of the game board 110 such that a connecting piece        140 would have to be positioned on the board border 130 (which        is not permitted by the game rules);    -   j) A player can place an allowable number of playing pieces 140,        onto the plurality of squares 120, creating a string, which can        be a plurality of five playing pieces 140, before the total        score of the string is calculated, and a number of replacement        playing pieces 140, equal to the number of playing pieces in the        string are blind drawn from the piece container 150;    -   k) A subsequent player can repeat rules g)-j);    -   l) After each player has taken a starting turn 860, each player        can repeat rules g-j, with the condition in which a player must        begin a string with the starting piece 616, removed from step g,        this action can constitute a subsequent turn 868;    -   m) After a total of one starting turn 860, and three subsequent        turns 868, for each player, the player with the highest total        score value is the winner of a “set”;    -   n) After a set completion 870, a new set can begin, which can be        comprised of the same rules a-m;    -   o) If a set completion 870, results in a tied score between        players, a new set can be played until one player wins the set;        and    -   p) Game completion 874, can be achieved once one player has won        a plurality of sets, which can be two out of three, whereby that        player can be considered the winner.

In a further related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8C, a method for gamescoring 880 can include:

-   -   a) addition of piece score 882, which can comprise the summation        of the score indicators 248, of the playing pieces 140, of a        played string;    -   b) a single piece bonus square calculation 884, which can        include the addition or multiplication of the score indicators        248, of a playing piece 140, which has been played on a bonus        square 122;    -   c) a sum of Piece and Single Piece Bonus Scores 886, which can        include a summation of the addition of pieces score 882, and the        single piece bonus square calculation 884; and    -   d) a Multiplication of Adjusted String Score 888, which can        include the multiplication of the sum of Piece and Single Piece        Bonus Scores 886, by any bonus square 122, which includes the        text “STRING” in the text indicator 226, whereby this multiplied        value, can be the total turn score for the player who played the        string.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8D, a game method 890 can include:

-   -   a) positioning 892 a string 710 of playing pieces 140 on a game        board 110, wherein the string of playing pieces 140 comprises a        plurality of rotatably positioned 249 connected playing pieces        140, which are positioned on the game board 110, such that at        least one segment terminator 246 of a first connected playing        piece 140, 711 is adjacent to at least one segment terminator        246 of a second connected playing piece 140, 712, such that line        segments 244 of the rotatably positioned 249 connected playing        pieces 140, 711, 712 of the at least one string 710 form a        connected path 718; and    -   b) calculating 894 an aggregated string score as a piece score        for the string of playing pieces, comprising summation of a        score value of a score indicator 248 for each playing piece 140        in the string 710 of playing pieces, i.e.: summation of score        values for all score indicators 248 for all playing pieces 140        in the string 710 of playing pieces 140, as a first score        indicator 248 plus a second score indicator 248 plus a third        score indicator 248 plus a fourth score indicator 248 plus a        fifth score indicator 248.

In a related embodiment, the game method 890 can further include:

-   -   a) calculating 896 an additive bonus score for the string 710 of        playing pieces 140, comprising summation of an additive bonus        value of each additive bonus square 122, 254, 256, wherein a        playing piece 140 in the string 710 of playing pieces 140 is        positioned on the additive bonus square 122, 254, 256;        -   such that the additive bonus score is added to the            aggregated string score.

In a further related embodiment, the game method 890 can furtherinclude:

-   -   a) calculating 898 a tile-multiplicative bonus score for the        string 710 of playing pieces 140, comprising summation of a        tile-multiplicative bonus factor of each tile-multiplicative        bonus square 122, 251, 252 minus one (to account for the initial        counting in calculating 896 the additive bonus score) multiplied        with the additive bonus value of each tile-multiplicative bonus        square 122, 251, 252, wherein a playing piece 140 in the string        710 of playing pieces 140 is positioned on the        tile-multiplicative bonus square 122, 251, 252;        -   such that the tile-multiplicative bonus score is added to            the aggregated string score

In a further related embodiment, the game method 890 can furtherinclude:

-   -   b) calculating 899 a string-multiplicative bonus score for the        string 710 of playing pieces 140, comprising summation of a        string-multiplicative bonus factor of each string-multiplicative        bonus square 122, 253, 255, to calculate an aggregate        multiplicative bonus factor, which is multiplied with the        aggregated string score, wherein a playing piece 140 in the        string 710 of playing pieces 140 is positioned on the        string-multiplicative bonus square 122, 253, 255.

Here has thus been described a multitude of embodiments of the gamesystem 100, and methods related thereto, which can be employed innumerous modes of usage.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Many such alternative configurations are readily apparent and should beconsidered fully included in this specification and the claims appendedhereto. Accordingly, since numerous modifications and variations willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention is not limitedto the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, andthus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A game system, comprising: a) a game board,comprising: a first plurality of squares, which are arranged in a firstmatrix structure, which comprises first rows and first columns; and b) aplurality of playing pieces, wherein each playing piece comprises: apiece body; and a line segment, which is positioned on a top surface ofthe piece body, wherein the line segment comprises: a plurality ofsegment terminators, wherein each segment terminator is positionedadjacent to a central side or a corner of the piece body.
 2. The gamesystem of claim 1, wherein selected squares in the first plurality ofsquares comprise special squares, which comprise a start square andbonus squares, wherein each bonus square comprises: a) a bonus squaresurface; and b) a text indicator, which indicates a score adjustment,wherein the text indicator is positioned on the bonus square surface. 3.The game system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of playing piecesfurther comprises: a start playing piece, which is positionable on thestart square; such that a first playing piece of a first string isconnected with the start playing piece, such that the first playingpiece is positioned on a first square, which is adjacent to the startsquare, such that at least one segment terminator of the start playingpiece is adjacent to at least one segment terminator of the firstplaying piece.
 4. The game system of claim 3, wherein the start playingpiece further comprises: a first side, which comprises a first startline segment; and a second side, which comprises a second start linesegment; such that an upward facing side of the start playing piece isone of the first side and the second side, when the start playing pieceis positioned on the start square.
 5. The game system of claim 4,wherein: the first start line segment, comprises four segmentterminators, which are centrally positioned on sides of the first sideof the start playing piece, such that the first side is rotatablysymmetric when positioned on the start square when the start playingpiece is positioned on the start square with the first side upwardfacing; and the second start line segment, comprises four segmentterminators, which are centrally positioned in corners of the secondside of the start playing piece, such that the second side is rotatablysymmetric of order 4, when the start playing piece is positioned on thestart square with the second side upward facing.
 6. The game system ofclaim 1, further comprising: at least one string, which comprises aplurality of rotatably positioned connected playing pieces, which arepositioned on the game board, such that at least one segment terminatorof a first connected playing piece is adjacent to at least one segmentterminator of a second connected playing piece, such that line segmentsof the rotatably positioned connected playing pieces of the at least onestring form a connected path.
 7. The game system of claim 6, furthercomprising: a plurality of pairs of successive strings, which arepositioned on the game board, wherein each successive string comprises:a plurality of rotatably positioned connected playing pieces.
 8. Thegame system of claim 2, wherein each bonus square further comprises: acolor indicator, which indicates the score adjustment, wherein the colorindicator is a background color of the bonus square surface.
 9. The gamesystem of claim 1, wherein the game board further comprises: a boardborder, comprising: a plurality of row indicators; and a plurality ofcolumn indicators; such that a pair of a row indicator of the pluralityof row indicators and a column indicator of the plurality of columnindicators indicate a position of a special square.
 10. The game systemof claim 1, wherein each playing piece further comprises: a piecescoring indicator, which denotes a piece scoring value for scoring ofpoints.
 11. The game system of claim 2, further comprising: a) a firstpiece holder for use by a first player, wherein the first piece holderis configured to be positioned on a playing surface, on a first side ofthe game board, wherein the first piece holder is configured to hold aplurality of first drawn playing pieces of the plurality of playingpieces; and b) a second piece holder for use by a second player, whereinthe second piece holder is configured to be positioned on the playingsurface, on a second side of the game board, wherein the second pieceholder is configured to hold a plurality of second drawn playing piecesof the plurality of playing pieces.
 12. The game system of claim 2,further comprising: a) a first mockup board for use by a first player,wherein the first mockup board is configured to be positioned on aplaying surface, on a first side of the game board, such that the firstmockup board is configured for visually confirming first potentialstring combinations of first selected playing pieces, before positioningthe first selected playing pieces on the game board; and b) a secondmockup board for use by a second player, wherein the second mockup boardis configured to be positioned on the playing surface, on a second sideof the game board, such that the second mockup board is configured forvisually confirming second potential string combinations of secondselected playing pieces, before positioning the second selected playingpieces on the game board.
 13. The game system of claim 12, wherein eachof the of the first mockup board and the second mockup board comprises:a second plurality of squares, which are arranged in a second matrixstructure comprising second rows and second columns.
 14. The game systemof claim 13, wherein each of the first selected playing pieces and thesecond selected playing pieces comprise five playing pieces; and whereinthe second rows comprise six rows and the second columns comprise sixcolumns.
 15. The game system of claim 12, further comprising: a) a firstprivacy blind, which is configured to be vertically positioned on theplaying surface on the first side of and adjacent to the game board,such that the first privacy blind prevents the second player fromviewing the first drawn playing pieces of the first player beforepositioning on the game board; and b) a second privacy blind, which isconfigured to be vertically positioned on the playing surface on thesecond side of and adjacent to the game board, such that the secondprivacy blind prevents the first player from viewing the second drawnplaying pieces of the second player before positioning on the gameboard.
 16. The game system of claim 15, wherein each of the firstprivacy blind and the second privacy blind further comprises: a) a scorecard, which is configured to block a view of an opposing player, whereinthe score card comprises scoring information on an outer side facing acorresponding player; and b) a stand assembly, which is configured to bepositioned on the playing surface; such that the score card isconfigured to be vertically positionable in the stand assembly, when thestand assembly is positioned on the playing surface.
 17. The game systemof claim 16, wherein the score card further comprises: a) a score cardbody, which comprises the outer side; b) a color score guide portion,which is positioned on the outer side of the score card body, whereinthe color score guide portion comprises: a color decoding table, whichcomprises: a plurality of color decoding rows, each comprising: adecoding color indicator; and a board square type indicator, which isone of:  a scoring transformation indicator, such that the decodingcolor indicator indicates a corresponding color of a corresponding bonussquare on the game board; and  a start square indicator, such that thedecoding color indicator indicates the corresponding color of the startsquare on the game board.
 18. The game system of claim 17, wherein eachof the special squares is configured with a first uniform size, which islarger than a second uniform size of the playing pieces, such that whena playing piece is positioned on a special square, which comprises thecorresponding color, then an outer border of the playing piece isvisible, such that the corresponding color is visible, such that thespecial square is identifiable via the color score guide portion of thescore card.
 19. The game system of claim 16, wherein the score cardfurther comprises: a) a score card body, which comprises the outer side;and b) a coordinate axis guide portion, which comprises: a coordinatedecoding table, which comprises: a plurality of coordinate decodingrows, each comprising: a decoding coordinate indicator, which comprises: a decoding column indicator; and  a decoding row indicator; and a boardsquare indicator, which is one of:  a scoring transformation indicator,such that a coordinate pair of the decoding column indicator and thedecoding row indicator indicates a corresponding coordinate position ofa corresponding bonus square on the game board; and  a start squareindicator, such that the coordinate pair of the decoding columnindicator and the decoding row indicator indicates the correspondingcoordinate position of a start square on the game board.
 20. A gamesystem comprising: a) a game board, comprising: a first plurality ofsquares, which are arranged in a first matrix structure, which comprisesfirst rows and first columns; and b) a plurality of playing pieces; c) afirst mockup board for use by a first player, wherein the first mockupboard is configured to be positioned on a playing surface, on a firstside of the game board, such that the first mockup board is configuredfor visually confirming first potential string combinations of firstselected playing pieces, before positioning the first selected playingpieces on the game board; and d) a second mockup board for use by asecond player, wherein the second mockup board is configured to bepositioned on the playing surface, on a second side of the game board,such that the second mockup board is configured for visually confirmingsecond potential string combinations of second selected playing pieces,before positioning the second selected playing pieces on the game board.21. The game system of claim 20, wherein each playing piece comprises:a) a piece body; and b) a line segment, which is positioned on a topsurface of the piece body, wherein the line segment comprises: aplurality of segment terminators, wherein each segment terminator ispositioned adjacent to a central side or a corner of the piece body. 22.The game system of claim 20, further comprising: at least one string,which comprises a plurality of rotatably positioned connected playingpieces, which are positioned on the game board, such that at least onesegment terminator of a first connected playing piece is adjacent to atleast one segment terminator of a second connected playing piece, suchthat line segments of the rotatably positioned connected playing piecesof the at least one string form a connected path.
 23. The game system ofclaim 22, further comprising: a) a first piece holder for use by a firstplayer, wherein the first piece holder is configured to be positioned ona playing surface, on a first side of the game board, wherein the firstpiece holder is configured to hold a plurality of first drawn playingpieces of the plurality of playing pieces; and b) a second piece holderfor use by a second player, wherein the second piece holder isconfigured to be positioned on the playing surface, on a second side ofthe game board, wherein the second piece holder is configured to hold aplurality of second drawn playing pieces of the plurality of playingpieces.
 24. The game system of claim 23, further comprising: a) a firstprivacy blind, which is configured to be vertically positioned on theplaying surface on the first side of and adjacent to the game board,such that the first privacy blind prevents the second player fromviewing the first drawn playing pieces of the first player beforepositioning on the game board; and b) a second privacy blind, which isconfigured to be vertically positioned on the playing surface on thesecond side of and adjacent to the game board, such that the secondprivacy blind prevents the first player from viewing the second drawnplaying pieces of the second player before positioning on the gameboard.
 25. The game system of claim 24, wherein each of the firstprivacy blind and the second privacy blind further comprises: a) a scorecard, which is configured to block a view of an opposing player, whereinthe score card comprises scoring information on an outer side facing acorresponding player; and b) a stand assembly, which is configured to bepositioned on the playing surface; such that the score card isconfigured to be vertically positionable in the stand assembly, when thestand assembly is positioned on the playing surface.
 26. The game systemof claim 25, wherein the first plurality of squares comprise a startsquare and wherein the score card further comprises: a) a score cardbody, which comprises the outer side; b) a color score guide portion,which is positioned on the outer side of the score card body, whereinthe color score guide portion comprises: a color decoding table, whichcomprises: a plurality of color decoding rows, each comprising: adecoding color indicator; and a board square type indicator, which isone of:  a scoring transformation indicator, such that the decodingcolor indicator indicates a corresponding color of a corresponding bonussquare on the game board; and  a start square indicator, such that thedecoding color indicator indicates the corresponding color of the startsquare on the game board.
 27. The game system of claim 26, wherein thescore card further comprises: a) a score card body, which comprises theouter side; and b) a coordinate axis guide portion, which comprises: acoordinate decoding table, which comprises: a plurality of coordinatedecoding rows, each comprising: a decoding coordinate indicator, whichcomprises:  a decoding column indicator; and  a decoding row indicator;and a board square indicator, which is one of:  a scoring transformationindicator, such that a coordinate pair of the decoding column indicatorand the decoding row indicator indicates a corresponding coordinateposition of a corresponding bonus square on the game board; and  a startsquare indicator, such that the coordinate pair of the decoding columnindicator and the decoding row indicator indicates the correspondingcoordinate position of a start square on the game board.
 28. A gamemethod, comprising: a) positioning a string of playing pieces on a gameboard, wherein the string of playing pieces comprises a plurality ofrotatably positioned connected playing pieces, which are positioned onthe game board, such that at least one segment terminator of a firstconnected playing piece is adjacent to at least one segment terminatorof a second connected playing piece, such that line segments of therotatably positioned connected playing pieces of the at least one stringform a connected path; and b) calculating an aggregated string score asa piece score for the string of playing pieces, comprising summation ofa score value of a score indicator for each playing piece in the stringof playing pieces.
 29. The game method of claim 28, further comprising:calculating an additive bonus score for the string of playing pieces,comprising summation of an additive bonus value of each additive bonussquare, wherein a playing piece in the string of playing pieces ispositioned on the additive bonus square; such that the additive bonusscore is added to the aggregated string score.
 30. The game method ofclaim 29, further comprising: calculating a string-multiplicative bonusscore for the string of playing pieces, comprising summation of astring-multiplicative bonus factor of each string-multiplicative bonussquare, to calculate an aggregate multiplicative bonus factor, which ismultiplied with the aggregated string score, wherein a playing piece inthe string of playing pieces is positioned on the string-multiplicativebonus square.